Need non-round steel tubes with high dimensional precision and strength? GB/T 3094 might be the standard you’re looking for.
GB/T 3094-2012 defines the technical requirements for cold drawn shaped steel tubes—square, rectangular, elliptical, and custom profiles—used in structural and mechanical applications.
In this article, we explain the scope, dimensional requirements, applicable materials, performance specs, and how YIGE Steel delivers GB/T 3094-compliant products with flexibility and speed.
Standard Overview (Scope, History, Use)
GB/T 3094 is the Chinese national standard titled “Cold Drawn Shaped Steel Tubes”, currently in its 2012 version.
It applies to:
- Seamless or welded steel tubes formed through cold drawing
- Tubes with non-circular cross sections: square, rectangular, elliptical, D-shape, or special custom forms
- Applications requiring tight tolerances, sharp corners, and precise dimensions
📌 Release: GB/T 3094-2012 (revised from GB/T 3094-1986)
📌 Issuer: SAC (Standardization Administration of China)
Dimensional Requirements
| Parameter | GB/T 3094 Range/Requirement |
|---|---|
| Cross-section | Square, rectangular, oval, special shapes |
| Side length A/B | 10 mm – 600 mm |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.5 mm – 30 mm |
| Length | 4 m – 12 m (customizable) |
| Corner Radius (R) | R ≤ 0.5S or sharp corner (e.g. 0.3 mm) |
| Straightness | ≤ 1.5 mm/m |
| Twist tolerance | ≤ 6 mm per 6 m |
| Length tolerance | ±0.15% or upon agreement |
📌 GB/T 3094 supports ultra-flat, ultra-thick, ultra-thin, and small-radius profiles—ideal for laser cutting and structural use.
Material Grades and Delivery Conditions
Unlike other standards, GB/T 3094 does not fix the steel grade. Instead, it allows buyers and manufacturers to specify material based on application needs. Commonly used grades include:
| Steel Grade | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Q235B / Q355B/C | General carbon / low alloy steel | Good weldability, cost-effective |
| Q460C/D / Q690D | High-strength low alloy | For heavy-duty structures |
| 20# / 45# / 40Cr | Carbon structural steels | High hardness, good machinability |
| 35CrMo / 42CrMo | Alloy steels for load-bearing parts | Used in machinery |
| 304 / 316L | Stainless (optional) | For corrosion resistance |
🛠️ Delivery condition: Cold drawn + annealing / normalizing / quenching-tempering (as needed)
Mechanical Performance & Application Benefits
Since material grades vary, mechanical properties are based on the selected steel (e.g. Q355 → YS ≥ 355 MPa). However, GB/T 3094 tubes offer performance advantages due to cold drawing + mold forming:
- ✅ Higher dimensional precision (OD/WT tolerance tighter than welded pipes)
- ✅ Sharp corners, small R radius options (ideal for nesting and welding)
- ✅ Better surface finish (pickled, polished, shot-blasted)
- ✅ High straightness and uniform wall thickness
- ✅ Flexible in small-batch production (≥1 ton)
Application Scenarios
GB/T 3094 cold drawn shaped tubes are ideal for:
- Construction machinery (boom arms, outriggers, sliding rails)
- OEM frames and brackets (agricultural, sanitation equipment)
- Steel structure support systems
- Transport and railway (door frames, platforms)
- New energy (battery frames, solar racks)
- Laser-cut precision structures
📌 The standard is especially valuable in custom profile engineering, where EN or ASTM shapes are limited.
GB/T 3094 vs EN 10305-5 / ASTM A500
| Standard | GB/T 3094 | EN 10305-5 / ASTM A500 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Cold drawn shaped steel tubes | Welded cold-formed hollow sections |
| Shape Flexibility | High: any cross-section via mold | Limited to standard HSS forms |
| Corner Radius | Sharp / small R supported | Larger R for bending durability |
| Material | Fully customizable | Fixed (S235–S355, Grade B/C/D) |
| MOQ | Low (≥1 ton at YIGE) | Higher due to industrial welding line |
YIGE Steel can customize mold and profile for GB/T 3094 tubes—ideal for small batch prototypes or precision structural parts.
Our Capability at YIGE Steel
We provide full-spectrum production for GB/T 3094-shaped tubes:
- Tube Size: A/B 10–600 mm, WT 1–30 mm
- Length: Up to 16.5 m seamless, or 24 m welded
- Material: Q235–Q690, alloy steels, stainless steel
- Mold Library: 400+ existing shapes; new mold in 5–7 days
- MOQ: Seamless 1 ton, welded 25 tons
- Certifications: ISO9001, CE, BV, IATF16949
📦 Available surface options:
- Pickling + phosphating
- Shot blasting
- Laser-cutting
- Galvanizing (upon request)
Conclusion
GB/T 3094 is the go-to Chinese standard for cold drawn shaped tubes with customized profiles, sharp corners, and high straightness—widely used in structural, mechanical, and precision applications.
At YIGE Steel, we combine in-house mold design, cold drawing, and heat treatment to deliver shaped tubes that outperform standard welded options in both strength and appearance.
